Tips to Increase Mental Health

The 2019 coronavirus epidemic (COVID-19) can be stressful for people. Fear and anxiety about the disease can be stressful, causing negative feelings and emotions in individuals from all fields of life. Caring about mental health during this time is essential and beneficial for you and your family. You can take some steps to improve your mental health even when you are practicing social distancing.  Remember to take small steps every day to meet your emotional, mental, physical and spiritual needs.

Here are seven best tips that will help you manage stress during this pandemic time and cope up with the stressful situation. Let's find out how to stay mentally healthy with these tips:

1. Be physically active

Research shows that physical activity is an essential part of good mental health. Think about how you can exercise at this time and make it part of your routine. You can find many exercise programs at home to help you stay active. About help you work out at home. If it is safe to do so, enjoy walking or running. Stretching could also have a positive impact on your physical health. 

2. Maintain social ties

Even when people cannot physically surround you, you can stay in touch with friends, family and society through online means of communication. You can find comfort by communicating with loved ones or even strangers during this time. There are many ways to approach and communicate. You can also join online groups that are currently supporting each other. You can find these groups on social media. You can also make your group, and people will appreciate your support, whether emails or video chats or phone calls. There are many communication channels for video calling and audio callings, such as Zoom, Skype or Whatsapp. 

3. Limit media consumption

It is good to stay informed, but consuming consistent coronavirus content can keep you in a state of negativity. The media is continuously reporting new cases of the virus and talking about the number of deaths that could significantly affect their mental health. It is essential to limit the number of minutes and hours that you spend daily. 

4. Keep track of your time on social media.

Scrolling through social media without thinking all day can exhaust your mental strength. So be careful with the time you spend, as this can significantly affect your mental health. Learn different coping techniques that may help you manage stress. Read your favourite book or watch your favourite movie. Think about what can make you happy in this time of stress.

5. Learn new skills

Discover new skills you can practice and try something new. Learn some new skills such as painting or calligraphy. You can also find a meditation app or an app that helps you practice a variety of skills. Your mental health should be your top priority in times of extreme stress and uncertainty.  Learning a new skill and diverting your attention can be the key to stay mentally healthy.

6. Talk about your mental health.

Some people may think that talking about their depression and anxiety doesn't require extra attention during these times; people should be encouraged to talk about their feelings. You can talk about your mental health with your parents, siblings, or someone you trust. You can also talk about your mental health with a doctor and ask him/her to give you advice on how to deal with this problem.

7. Sleep well

Good sleep is a form of night therapy and increases the chances of managing intense emotions effectively. Try to wake up and sleep at the same time each day. It would also be beneficial to have eight hours of sleep and stop spending time on the screen 1-2 hours before going to sleep. 

Practice these tips to increase your mental health during this pandemic and believe that this time will pass. 

Remember to make dua at every opportunity and remember yourself and friends or family in your duas. You can also recite the following dua: 

بِسْمِ اللهِ الَّذِي لَا يَضُرُّ مَعَ اسْمِهِ شَيْءٌ فِي الْأَرْضِ وَلَا فِي السَّمَاءِ وَهُوَ السَّمِيعُ الْعَلِيمُ

Transliteration: 

Bismillaahil-lathee laa yadhurru ma'as-mihi shay'un fil-'ardhi wa laa fis-samaa'i wa Huwas-Samee 'ul- 'Aleem.

Translation: 

In the Name of Allah, Who with His Name, nothing can cause harm in the earth nor the heavens, and He is the All-Hearing, the All-Knowing. (Recite three times in Arabic).

Bonus tip: Make sure to keep in touch with your friends, family, relatives, children and neighbours even if it is via facetime or other online methods. Talk to them, share your stories with them and ask them about their day or week. This method will ensure that you have someone to share your everyday activities. 

If you're looking for tips for working from home, please read our previous article.